About this project

$7,210

pledged of $5,432 goal

252

backers

Hello friends!

My name is Steven Leaf and I am creating a new album, 'Three Circles & A Speaker'. This will be my third album and first with my new band, The Ex Pats. Dan, Nick, and I have been playing together for over a year and we have come into our own sound and we are excited to share this work with you!

Last January, I embarked on writing a new album. I took a significant risk and left my job to focus on my music and travel. As I met new people and explored new places, I was inspired to write daily. The result is nine songs. Each tell a story, whether it be about the final hours in the life of a census taker in Moscow at the turn of the century, a criminal sent to a distant planet to carry out his prison sentence, or my own experiences. They are each incredibly meaningful to me and I hope you'll find your own meaning in them as well.

During the summer of 2013, I rejoined Dan and Nick and headed into two studios in June and July to start recording. First, we travelled to our home state of Michigan to record at Double Phelix in Kalamazoo. It was hot, very hot. I digress. We worked with our good friend and superlative sound engineer, Andy Catlin. He captured the tones we were looking for and after a long, successful day, we grabbed the tracks and returned to Chicago. A couple weeks later, we joined sound connoisseur Alex Inglizian at Experimental Sound Studio in Chicago to record the second batch of tunes. it was less hot, or cooler whichever you prefer. Weather aside, yet again we left the studio feeling accomplished!

Now, we have all of our tracks, unmixed!That's why we're here. We need your support. Creating an album is a costly venture and we want to make sure you know what the dollars will provide. So here is our breadcrumb trail as to where the funds will go:

- Mixing

- Mastering

- CD/Vinyl Duplication

- Engineer Fees

- More recording to be done

- 3 second hand turtlenecks

Thanks so much for your generosity!

-Steve Leaf & The Ex Pats

Risks and challenges

I have been playing music for a while now and I love doing it. That being said, things do happen and I understand that. Sometimes getting vinyl pressed can be time consuming and even getting CDs back from the factory can take a minute. However if delays do arise, I will make sure to be transparent and let you know.

In conclusion, I'm really excited to share these songs so barring lightning striking me, you're going to get your rewards!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $50 or more
About $50

Signed Vinyl Copy of 'Three Circles and a Speaker' + Digital Download of 'Basketball/Battery' EP + Digital Download 'LIVE at Harvest Gathering 2013' + a 'Leaf' T Shirt + a BIG THANK YOU in the liner notes of the new album!

Dan, Nick, and Steve are heading to your house, bringing their instruments, a record player, and some of their favorite records. They'll bring all the fixings for a great party. Listen to records, listen to some live music and have a good time hanging out. (within 300 miles of Chicago).